Hallway design ideas

Even though the hallway is so often a neglected space, it serves a function just as much as the other spaces in your house. Usually the home of coats, shoes, umbrellas, keys and post, leaving the hallway off our design to-do list usually means that this area can become a bit of a dumping ground for these things.

Seeing as we have to be greeted with this every time we come in and out of the house, it’s worthwhile to think about coming up with some nifty solutions. The first thing to consider is whether you have any under stair space, which is so often under-exploited but is a storage life-saver. If you’ve got it, use it, and then the actual hallway can be reserved for the fun stuff.

Hallways can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but whether you’re working with something small, narrow, long, or wide, your hallway is still the first thing that guests will see, so it’s not a bad idea to consider how you might go about vamping it up. When it comes to hallway ideas, it serves to be honest about what you’re working with. If it is a small or narrow space then there’s no point trying to squeeze in that gorgeous console table you’ve got your eye on. But fear not, for there are alternatives – there are always alternatives!

To help get those design cogs turning, we’ve come up with some hallway decor ideas to help inspire you to make the most of even the most awkward space.

Photography: @tailorhome_39 Featuring: Helix

Featuring: Mosby

The slimline option

If you’re working with a narrow hallway, it becomes even more important to make the most of vertical space. Tall and slimline cabinets or drawers could work well. Our acacia wood and brass cladded Mosby shoe rack is so smart that your guests would never clock it was full of muddy shoes. You could think about some hooks for your coats and scarves, but remember how much they bulk out once a few of them pile up.

Sideboard styling

Sideboards are a clear winner when it comes to marrying storage and design. With space inside and on top, you can use the inside for the stuff you want to hide away and then use the top for plants, candlesticks, mirrors, artwork, books, lamps, and anything else you might want to show off. We are in love with how @number7interiors has styled our Kiln sideboard. Making the most of the accordion style facade which catches the light to give gorgeous depth and texture, this really is a hallway of dreams.

Photography: @number7interiors Featuring: Kiln

Table turning

If storage is less of an issue for you, then a hallway table might be a better option. Even if coats and shoes aren’t a problem, you’ll still need somewhere for your keys, and a nifty little table is a really great way to reinvent the space. Tables also work as good framing devices for artwork or mirrors, which might otherwise look a bit like they’re floating in dead space.

Featuring: Claddagh, Chapo

Through the looking glass

Mirrors really are amazing space expanders if you’re after small hallway ideas, not to mention how useful they are if you’re wanting to avoid any awkward spinach in teeth type situations before you head out.

The front door is a key area according to Feng Shui, but there is one school of thought that thinks it’s bad juju to position the mirror facing the front door as it reflects energy away rather than welcoming it in. If a mirror really is all you can fit in the space, it might be nice to consider something with a bit more of an interesting design, like our Nemo range or the Claddagh.

You could even consider going for a longer length mirror instead. The Lark or the Chapo both come in a sophisticated lozenge shape, will enhance the size of the space, and ensure you haven’t forgotten to change out of your pyjamas and slippers before you head out. We’ve been in and out of lockdown for over a year people, we must stay vigilant!

Featuring: Nevis, Carradale

Take a seat

Talking of slippers, hallway seating is one of the best solutions for making your hallway more interesting whilst having something to perch on when putting your shoes on. Benches are another space saving go-to, and our Nevis even has space for your muddy boots. The Carradale is a nifty 2-in-1 solution, which provides somewhere to sit and somewhere to hang your coats. Full marks for the Carradale. If you’re lucky enough to have a bit more space to play with then why not luxuriate in a hallway armchair? Our Duke cocktail chair injects colour and texture into the space and brings all the 50s glamour. Cocktails in the hallway whilst you put your shoes on? Why not!